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The Effect of Eight Weeks of Combined Core Stability and Balance Training on Pelvic Girdle Pain, Balance, and Quality of Life in Pregnant Women
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N Heydari    , R Ghaffari * , H Delrooz , M Qolizadeh |
| 1.Department of Exercise Physiology and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shomal University, Amol, I.R.Iran. , rh.ghaffari@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (293 Views) |
Background and Objective: Pregnancy is accompanied by extensive physiological changes that can result in pelvic girdle pain, decreased balance, and diminished quality of life. Given that the selection of an appropriate strategy for relieving low back pain during pregnancy is of importance, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of eight weeks of combined core stability and balance training on pelvic girdle pain, balance, and quality of life in pregnant women.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 pregnant women aged 20-35 years in the 20th to 30th weeks of pregnancy, assigned to two groups of 15 (exercise and control) that were matched in terms of age and other characteristics. The exercise program lasted 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, and each session consisted of three stages: warm-up, main body, and cool-down. The warm-up lasted 15 minutes and included pedaling on a stationary bicycle and performing static and dynamic stretching exercises. The exercise duration was 45 minutes to one hour. The cool-down at the end of the training session lasted 10 minutes. Before starting the exercise, fetal heart rate and maternal blood pressure were monitored, and exercise was performed according to the health status of the mother and fetus. Pain, quality of life, and balance were measured and compared using the Pelvic Girdle Pain Questionnaire, the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Bass Balance Test, respectively.
Findings: The mean pelvic girdle pain score in the exercise group decreased significantly after the intervention, from 39.73±10.79 to 14.06±7.81 (p<0.001). In contrast, in the control group, it increased from 27.40±10.51 to 54.93±8.53 (p<0.001). The mean quality of life score in the exercise group rose from 66.54±18.02 to 78.30±14.96, whereas in the control group it declined from 63.58±22.33 to 53.13±17.82 (p<0.001). Furthermore, the mean balance score in the exercise group improved from 20.20±1.97 to 12.33±1.79 (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrated that eight weeks of combined core stability and balance training can lead to a reduction in pelvic girdle pain, an improvement in balance, and an enhancement of quality of life in pregnant women. |
Article number: e59 |
| Keywords: Combined Exercises, Core Stability Exercises, Balance Exercises, Pelvic Girdle Pain, Quality of Life, Pregnant Women. |
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Full-Text [PDF 611 kb]
(34 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Sport Physiology
Received: 2025/05/14 | Accepted: 2025/09/22 | Published: 2026/10/31
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